After agreeing to become a magical girl, I now stood in front of my daddy's dojo with this flying pink rabbit, leaving behind 「The Most High」 unconscious.
「From here on out, you will be named Nova Eclipse」
The pink rabbit floated toward me.
『That's a shitty name』
Those were my initial thoughts. I mean, I could've been named Super Nova, or something more cute.
Instead, I got a name that makes me sound like I'm the villain.
…but maybe that isn't so bad.
Because it rings fear into my enemies.
My thoughts snapped back to the present as I punched a wolf youma's jaw clean off.
"Yuck"
I shook my hand, flinging off the black goo.
It's been 2 weeks since I was recruited. And I gotta say—getting paid for punching the shit out of youmas?
Count. Me. In!
And moreover—
『SUPERRR NOVAAAA!』
I yelled as a white beam erupted around me, devastation tearing through the vicinity.
When the white pillar finally ceased, all the surrounding, hiding youmas quivered in fear.
I couldn't help but wear a smug grin.
「『Super Nova』 is your only ability. You are granted eternal youth—meaning you won't grow any taller, or any older than you are now. But by using 『Super Nova』, your lifespan gets depleted」
I remembered the words that pink bunny said, and frankly… I didn't care.
My daddy is gone. He was the only family I had left. My relatives only see me as some money-making machine.
I have nothing left to live for.
So with each punch, with each kick, with each 『Super Nova』—
I will gladly burn brighter, fight spectacularly, even if it meant I'd be snuffed out just as fast.
[A Year Later]
"Hello everyone! I'm Stella Commet and uhm… sorry I said I was the leader! I'm sorry!"
A newbie arrived. A disaster, at that.
Her first day on the job and she blurts out to some mother and her baby that she's apparently the leader of the magical girls.
In turn, she probably got reprimanded by Lya.
"Hoo… And what made you think you're the leader?"
My eyes darted toward the voice—coming from a blondie in a white magical girl dress.
Naturally, I crossed my arms as I watched the scene.
"Eep! I'm really sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, I swear!"
My eyes shifted to the pink-haired girl. She's a klutz.
Do we even need someone like her?
A liability?
A loose mouth?
Tons of questions ran through my head. I don't give a shit most often, but… I dunno.
Something doesn't sit right with me.
"Pfft, I'm just messing with you. Just messing. Don't worry, older sister isn't angry at you."
My thoughts broke as I snapped back to reality.
I watched the blondie lean forward and give the pink-haired girl a headpat.
The leader—Luna Star—has always been like that. As vicious and painful as the desert sun… but also just as warm as the sun at dusk.
To others, she might seem tyrannical, but actually.
She's like that. A kind older sister to us all.
The smile on my lips vanished when I noticed that pink-haired punk walking toward me. My eyes widened.
'Wait… she's not coming toward me, is she?'
My gaze flicked to my other teammates. Then to her feet.
Shit.
She's walking toward me.
Why me?!
"You… must be Nova Eclipse, right? I heard you were close to my age. Pleased to meet you!"
My mouth fell open as she bowed in front of me.
The f*ck?!
"You must be out of your damn mind—why are you bowing at me?"
I crossed my arms and looked away, closing my eyes like that'd erase the sight.
"A-Ah uhm… I thought since you're my senpai…"
I sighed and looked back at her.
"You know, you can't just do that."
I pointed at her, eyes glaring daggers.
"Do what?"
I rolled my eyes.
I used to act exactly like that—goody two-shoes—until daddy died.
That thought dragged up the past.
And that made me angry.
"Forget it. You won't get it anyway."
I puffed out my chest.
"Forgive our Nova Eclipse, Stella. She can be quite the tsundere."
My eyes shot wide open as I snapped toward that blonde-haired bitch—Luna Star.
"L-Luna you b*tch! Stop! Stop whatever you're planning!"
I lunged at her, but my head was instantly caught in her hand. All I could do was flail pathetically—height, arm length, distance… all against me.
"Nova Eclipse tends to be a potty mouth, as you can see. But she's a good girl—she doesn't mean much by it!"
Luna Star smiled as the sun conveniently shined behind her. Like an angel proclaiming the gospel.
"Oh… I see. A tsundere."
Stella Commet—pink-haired klutz—looked like a puppy meeting a kitten. She smiled brightly and clapped.
"Doesn't mean much by it my *ss! Luna Star I swear to God I will tear you limb by limb! I will [beep] [beep] [beep]!"
Luna Star laughed, clutching her stomach.
"See? That translates to: Onee-chan, stop teasing me so much! I love you vewwwyy much, but you shouldn't tell the newcomer that I'm soft and mellow inside."
Stella nodded in agreement, eyes sparkling.
"$%$^$&$%#% $^$#%#% $^#^#"
All I could do was curse at Luna Star.
That's how I remember it.
I was a girl filled with wrath.
At first, revenge was the main motivation. But the more I punched, the more youmas I defeated—the more joy I felt.
With the pinnacle of martial arts and supernatural power backing me, it really felt like I was part of k@men rider or pwer rngers.
When nobody was around, when my colleagues were far away, I'd do those cool poses they do.
But as the years passed—
with each punch,
with each youma defeated—
The smile on my lips slowly faded into nothing.
The youmas dwindled.
Tokyo became Shin-Tokyo.
Humanity moved on.
Now, with every punch, my thoughts are—
「When will this all end?」
It's funny… they call me a battle-junkie. A battle addict.
But if I feel like this—would I still be regarded as one?
It made me think about my life. About how, even against insignificant, low-ranked youmas, I'd still use 「Super Nova」.
Was it worth it?
…I don't know anymore.
But I do know this.
I'm not like a k@men rider or p*wer ranger.
No—what I thought I'd be like as a kid… was the opposite.
I felt more like a certain superhero in a bat suit.
At first, I never understood why he was so grumpy. He learned every martial art imaginable—more than me.
He should be happy.
He's kicking @ss.
But he isn't.
And now… I get it.
Each punch isn't a message.
It's desperation.
It's a cry for help.
He doesn't trust the system, so he takes justice into his own hands.
Each punch, each criminal sent to jail—he prays that this one will change g*tham.
But no.
As if the universe spites him, each punch breeds more criminals.
So he punches. He kicks. He throws batarangs.
Foolishly hoping it'll be the last time.
…I'm like that too.
I just wanted to see daddy again.
I just wanted to be a little girl again.
No responsibilities. No fighting.
That's what I thought.
Now, I only have 4 years left.
I'm only 30… so much more to live.
But maybe it isn't so bad.
I've got no one now. Stella—no, Himeno—is my best friend, but… she has her own life.
I'm just a crazed battle junkie.
Waiting for the days to pass until I finally get my well-earned rest.
That's what I used to think.
Until I met Shizuka.
She has potential… and I see my pitiful self in her.
As someone older—and as promised—
I'll show her how to live life with a bang.
Though I feel a bit of regret.
3 years isn't much time to teach a kid everything I know.
Maybe I got hasty.
But I wouldn't be Nova Eclipse if I weren't.
…Still.
It's a shame.
That's what I think.
I would've loved to see that f*cker fuck everything me and my gals built.